Sunday, 29 September 2013

This was a wonderful short story that captivated me from the first page. It was a sweet and tender love story set in the beautiful Cornish town of Padstow, which is one of my most favourite parts of the World so was an instant page turner for me.

Seb runs his traditional family business of fudge making (yum) where his days are long and his nights even longer and getting lonelier. He is getting ready for the tourist season and wondering if the sexy fisherman from overseas will be calling into Padstow again this summer. With his mind on other things after a hectic day in the shop he doesn't realise he has dropped his wallet until he gets a tap on the shoulder from Dex who is kindly returning it to him. Dex is a traveller who touts for business on the beach braiding hair for the tourists. At first Seb is wary of trusting this ‘vagrant’ but then he realises his misconceptions are totally misplaced and so begins a beautiful friendship that turns into so much more.

I really loved the writing style of this and how beautifully it flowed for such a short story. There was no feeling of being rushed or of tailoring it to fit into a diluted novel. The characters were so well developed that you were instantly drawn into their world and wanting them to complete this gorgeous pairing. Even without a HEA as such, I finished the book feeling extremely satisfied and content.

I would definitely recommend this short read. It was a story that left me thinking about it hours afterwards. Very thought provoking and memorable. Brilliant.

Come Together is the third and final installment of The Cityscape Series.

With a single decision, Olivia Germaine’s fantasy has become a reality. Now she is faced with two commitments: one she must make and one she must break. But in order to accept a love she never thought possible, Olivia will have to let go of the broken past that defines her - and of deeply-rooted fears that could ruin everything.

Everything is what David Dylan wants to give her, and it’s what he wants in return. He must prove to Olivia that despite his playboy ways, he’s worth leaving behind the stable future her husband can offer her. David is a man who always gets what he wants . . . but this time he may be fighting for something unattainable.

Can Olivia escape the past that threatens to consume her?

And can David break through to her before it does?

~~~~~~~~

INTERVIEW WITH DAVID DYLAN

FBR: Hello there Mr Dylan – please may I call you David?

DD: Of course, Ms. Foxylutely.

FBR: We all read about your first meeting of eyes with Olivia across that crowded room and the connection you felt – what did you think afterwards? Did you think you would ever see her again?

DD: The best way I can describe that moment is that I was captivated. Olivia cast a spell on me with a look. Her eyes are mesmerizing, beautiful – but it was much more than that. I didn’t know if I’d ever see her again, but I knew I wanted to.

FBR: You come from a strong and close family but you've not had any long term close relationships (or so that is the perception) Why do you think that is?

DD: I’ve had a couple, but now they seem insignificant. I’d wanted to meet the right woman for a long time. As you can probably tell, I have no desire to settle in any aspect of my life. My lack of connection up until Olivia was frustrating for me, because it’s something I wanted to find. But I had faith that I'd meet her. On some level I knew she was coming.

FBR: Did you never want to settle down and have children as is the expected step most take after the obligatory route of college and career established etc.?

DD: I definitely wanted to meet someone and settle down. I won't deny that I've had fun while waiting for Olivia, but that gets old. Had any one of those women given me half of what Olivia does, I may have considered something more serious. Having children wasn’t in the forefront of my mind, but I had assumed a family would come once I met the right woman.

FBR: How does it make you feel when people judge you as a ‘player’ and only out for what you can get from women?

DD: *Laughs* I wish I could lie to you, Mandie. It doesn't bother me. I've always been upfront with the women I'm with – you know how I value honesty. Maria had convinced herself that I might come around, and she was good at keeping that hope hidden from me. Normally if I feel a woman is getting attached, I'll talk to her. I'm not big on avoidance or vanishing in that type of situation. It’s not an easy conversation to have, but I'm man enough to do it. We're all adults, and there’s nothing wrong with that type of relationship so long as both parties are having fun. And I can assure you that’s always the case.

FBR: What compelled you to pursue Olivia even after you knew she was married to Bill?

DD: After our first night together, I was forced to step back. Olivia made that decision for me. I took the project in New York so I could gain new perspective and, I’ll be honest, escape. But after I saw her at the wedding, things changed. I couldn't walk away after that. Knowing she was so unhappy killed me. I didn't know what level I was prepared to take it to, just that ignoring our connection was impossible.

FBR: OK I'll back off the intense stuff now LOL.

DD: *Grins* Thanks.

FBR: So you're known for your sense of style and attire – who is your favourite designer?

FBR: What style is the real you – is it the smart city businessman, casuals or the surfer dude *winks*

DD: I get different types of happiness from both businessman and dude. I find peace in outdoor activities, like surfing or sailing. There is no feeling comparable to being out in the water. But I'm happiest when I'm working, whether it’s hard labor flipping houses or behind the desk drafting.

FBR: You smell absolutely divine David – what is that gorgeous cologne you are wearing?

DD: Thank you. It’s Acqua Di Gio by Armani.

FBR: OK are you ready for a Fast Foxy Five?

Ahem...that means short and quick, one answer questions LOL

DD: OK

1.Best word that describes you?

Determined.

2.Favourite colour?

Green, of course.

3.Boxers, briefs or commando?

Briefs.

4.If you weren't a successful architect what would you be?

No clue. Something to do with construction, I suppose.

5.Who would play you in a film?

I don't think I look like either, but I always admired Sean Connery and Olivia thinks I remind her of Hugh Jackman.

FBR: Thanks David for visiting my blog today – it has been an honour

*giggles and blushes*

DD: The pleasure has been all mine, Foxy.

~~~~~~~~

TEASERS AND EXCERPTS

#1.

As the elevator ascended, David’s body seemed to grow bigger, his bearing predatory. I was his cornered prey. And he was about to strike. After a charged moment, he nodded at the doors. “Go on.” In my thickening haze of anticipation, I hadn’t even noticed our arrival at the penthouse. “We’re late for a very important date,” he said.

“And what date is that?” I asked as we stepped off.

“You, me and nothing else. Leave everything at the door.” He unlocked the door and held it open so I could pass through before him. As I did though, he snatched my elbow. “I said everything.”

Over my shoulder, my gaze met his brown eyes, dark and lusty. He let the door slam to merge his body against my backside, gripping my shoulders roughly in his hands. “I’ve been crazy for you all day,” he rasped in my ear. “And although I love this nude dress, I want it off. Now.” He dragged the zipper down and dropped to his knees. I gasped when his lips touched the base of my spine. His hands skated up my exposed back and slid over my shoulders, releasing the gown so it slumped at my feet. They came around to my front, where he spread his fingers across my stomach. A moan vibrated against the small of my back, sending a shiver up to my shoulders.

He stood and wrapped an arm around my chest, his hardness pressing against my spine. His other hand dropped to pull me open by my inner thigh and touch me through my underwear. I was panting, swaying when he released me suddenly. “Jesus,” he muttered. “I can’t control myself with you.”

Through oversized windows, the city glow lent the only light to the room as he circled in front of me. I put my hand in his and stepped out of the dress, following as he led me down the stairs into the sunken living room.

“Keep those on,” he instructed, motioning to my new black stilettos. He removed his blazer and lit the fireplace as my body, alive with desire, wavered unsteadily in the four-inch heels. He emptied his pockets onto a side table and removed his Rolex. He undid his bowtie slowly with his hooded eyes fixed on me. His limbs, strong and brawny, moved fluidly as he shed clothing. I wanted to learn the contours of his body with my eyes, my fingers, my tongue. And when he looked at me that way, like it was the first time, I could barely help from melting at his feet.

#2.

I was bent at the hip, my hands wrapped around my ankles. This was the position David wanted me in. On his way, he’d texted me how he wanted to find me and it was like this: my ass in the air, my hands at my ankles. I looked anxiously through my legs at the bedroom door. I was positioned at the end of the bed, but I doubted we'd even make it there.

I was dripping with anticipation, and I'd nearly bitten off my bottom lip by the time he'd come home. Now, I heard him toss his keys onto the table in his foyer and make his way to the bedroom. I watched him enter and disappear right into the closet. “You waiting, baby?” he called.

“Yes,” I said impatiently.

“I’m coming.”

“David,” I groaned. “I can’t wait any longer.”

I heard his chuckle. “So touch yourself.”

“No,” I squealed. “I want you to touch me.”

He exited the closet, taking his sweet time even though I was about to burst with desire. His feet were bare, but he was still in his suit pants. He came up right behind me so I could feel his heat on the backs of my legs. “I want to touch you, too,” he said, but he said it low and hoarse, and in a way that sounded like he’d been waiting to say it all day.

~~~~~~~~

REVIEW

My rating = An amazingly brilliant and fantastic FIVE ++++

Every once in awhile a book (or a series in this case) comes along that totally blows you away and the Cityscape series was that for me, especially this the third and final book, Come Together. It was brilliantly amazing.

In the first two books – Come Undone and Come Alive, the story has been unfolding about Olivia and her husband Bill and how that one moment in time meeting Olivia had with David would spin a web of immense grief, desperation and anger but also the ultimate in love, passion and trust. In this final book the vast rollercoaster of the emotional journey we have been on comes to a wonderful and enrapturing end.

Olivia has been in a safe and comfortable marriage with Bill. She has been trying to do everything right and what was expected of her to ensure she does not end up divorced and bitter like her parents, especially her Mother. David Dylan (gosh even saying his name still has the power to make my heart speed up weeks after reading this book!) is a high flying businessman, is perceived as a lady’s man and a player but underneath he is looking for something special. In the first two books we were privy to the guilt and anxiety that Olivia was feeling, knowing in her heart, once she admitted to herself, was something she could not bring herself to act on. But eventually at the end of Come Alive, she made the decision so the reader was left with a happy place to end a book on but so much more to be discovered about Olivia and David.

I absolutely adored this book and it is the best in the entire series. I just could not get enough and could not put the book (well my kindle) down. The main characters were so well developed and they absolutely shone through the pages. I loved how Olivia became such more confident and realised her self-worth. Oh and as for David he was such a revelation! I loved to see his whole persona was brought forth so you got the full 360 degrees of lushness of this man. He was divine and so goddam alpha!

The sensual and erotic episodes were off the charts – amazingly written that had me biting my bottom lip and my love button was shouting ‘Eureka!’ I definitely need a David Dylan. He went straight onto my blog’s Lush List. Rawr!

Nothing was glossed over though, as in real life the raw and gritty depth of feeling was seeped into the subject matter that divorce and adultery brings. Yes there was violence, anger and anxiety. There were hurtful lies and deceptions but the overwhelming emotion for me was the love and devotion that could not be denied. Even after we were on the happy path and you thought a new beginning was a given, I liked that we were shown there still could be deal breakers that could throw in a massive curveball. For this part I was on the edge of my seat thinking that please no don't let this go with another ending I was not envisioning. But don't worry all is wonderfully concluded at the end.

To try and do this review is hard as I don’t want to give all that happens away, suffice for me to say you need to have that little bit of apprehension when reading this as it makes it all the more wonderful when you get to the outcome.

This book totally captivated and enthralled me throughout and I cannot recommend it any higher than I have. Jessica Hawkins is an amazing writer and I can’t wait for the next tantalising and intense read I know she will produce. Awesome!

~~~~~~~~

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jessica Hawkins grew up between the purple mountains and under the endless sun of Palm Springs, California. She studied international business at Arizona State University and has also lived in Costa Rica and New York City. Some of her favorite things include traveling, her dog Kimo, Scrabble, driving aimlessly and creating Top Five lists. She is the helpless victim of an overactive imagination that finds inspiration in music and tranquility in writing. Currently she resides wherever her head lands, which lately is the unexpected (but warm) keyboard of her trusty MacBook.

Tuesday, 24 September 2013

After losing her husband to a sudden heart attack, Tess Mathews escapes to Bora Bora to lay her husband and sorrow to rest. What she doesn't expect is a new beginning.

Tom Clemmins is an A-list actor whose life revolves around work and an onslaught of women. He travels to Bora Bora for a much-needed break. Tom has a few ideas of how he'll enjoy his vacation, but love isn't one of them. Until he sees Tess.

Reserving a private shark-feeding excursion to scatter her husband's ashes into the lagoon, Tess is furious when Mr. Hollywood bribes his way onto the boat, leaving her no other choice but to share the boat ride.

Tess is torn between tremendous guilt and zealous lust when their boat ride turns into a week full of romance and desire neither thought imaginable. Utterly smitten with a woman for the first time in his life, Tom casts his commitment phobia aside and whisks Tess off to Malibu where he introduces her as his "girlfriend" on the red carpet.

As the paparazzi besiege, can Tess survive the media blitz that ensues in order to find her second chance at love?

~~~~~~~~~

REVIEW

My rating = A lustful FOUR!

I have now read this book twice and it still has the power to
transfer me to a wonderful place of happiness with a scattering of contented
sighs as I flip through the kindle pages.

The first time I read
it was back in 2012 when it was first released and my initial thought was how
lovely to find a book that is not all about the young but this is about a woman
who has gone through that first flush of youth, first love, happy marriage and
children. But also a woman who has learnt to cope with loss, bereavement and
utter desolation.

Tess Matthews is returning to Bora Bora, a place that held special
memories for her, where she and her husband spent such happy times. It is here
she finds herself again, a year after his death, to scatter his ashes and where
she first sets eyes on the famous movie star, Tom Clemmins.

Tom is at the peak of his career, he has worked his way to the top
with little or no time for a personal life. That’s when he decides to take a
long deserved break, which brings him to Bora Bora and he meets the entrancing
Tess on a boat trip.

The book is all about their developing romance with all the trials
and tribulations that brings. As in all good love stories there are outside
influences that are a threat to the couple and trying to break them apart. This
is not helped by their vast differences – Tessa with her ‘normal’ life with her
three grown up kids and Tom with his fame and fortune and all that brings with
it, especially the press.

I really loved getting lost in this book (both times!) and I instantly
fell for Mr Clemmins. He was so badly portrayed in the press as a player and
was constantly having his picture snapped all over the globe with a bevy of
beauties on his arm. But what the public did not know was this was all part of
his public life, yet away from all these trappings of fame was an ordinary man.
A man so lonely, so hungry for love yet he had little time to meet anyone and
the people he was surrounded by were not the type he wanted to live his life
with.

Tess was a woman who knew who she was and was comfortable in her
own skin. She had lived a wonderful life with her husband of 25 years and her
children. After a year on her own in her grief she now knew it was time to move
on and get back into the world and take a chance. But throwing herself into the world Tom lived
in? Was this a step too far for her?

I loved the raunchy bits! Who said sexy time was for the under
forty? Huh – lessons to be learnt here. Tom Clemmins is a sexy, gorgeous man.
He’s got the moves, yeah baby! Ha ha. Just check out that wall in Greece!

The development of the romance was intense and detailed and had me
in bits in some parts. I loved Tess’s relationship with her kids and how they
were routing for her to get herself out there but at the same time very protective
of her.

It was a lovely journey to be on, to read about life, love and family
and all that that entails. It left me with a warm and squishy feeling after I
had read it. Always a nice feeling to finish a book on.

~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR BIO

For the past twenty-one years, Beverly Preston has been a stay at home mom, although she prefers the title Domestic Engineer, raising her four amazing kids. Along the way, Beverly worked side by side with her husband Don, the love of her life, designing, building and selling custom homes. As her children begin to venture out on their own, she’s left to shed a tear—for a minute—wonder what’s next in life, and embrace the feeling of empowerment that surely must've been wrapped in a present she received on her fortieth birthday.

If Beverly isn't at home riding her spin bike, you'll find her spinning richly emotional and sinfully sexy romance stories.

Isobel MacInnes wakes up in present-day California, lunches in medieval Scotland, and by ten day's end, falls in love with a man and his country, only to lose them in a heart-wrenching twist of fate . . .

Found in the arms of her second soul mate . . .

Forced to balance the delicate strands of time between two millennia . . .

Shocked by revelations rewriting the very foundations of history . . . of everything.

Isobel, a rising-star archaeology student, is dropped into two ancient worlds without warning . . . or her permission. Her fiery spirit resists the dependency thrust upon her. Amid frustration at her lack of control, she helplessly falls in love. Twice.

She struggles to adjust to the unimaginable demands of two leaders of men—a laird in the thirteenth-century Highlands and a Pict chieftain in a more ancient Scotland. Isobel transforms from an academic, hell-bent on obtaining archaeological recognition, to a woman striving to care for those she loves, and ultimately . . . into a fearless warrior risking everything to protect them.

My Review

My rating = A High (lander) Four

It has been a while since I read paranormal books and they used to be the only books I read. For now though they are few and far between all the other genres I read so to receive this as an ARC request as part of a blog tour I was intrigued due to the time travel aspect but mainly it was all about Highlanders. Books about the Highlands for some reason just grab me and give me that flutter of anticipation that I know is going to ensnare me. I was therefore not disappointed with this book as it totally ensnared me!

This book was wonderfully written and an absolute pleasure to devour in one day. The writer has a huge depth of knowledge of the subject matter and Scotland which just shines through the flow and development of the plot across the pages. It really grabs your attention and keeps you grasping for more.

Isobel MacInnes was an instantly likeable woman for me. I really cannot stress enough how fantastic it is to read a story with a wonderfully strong and decisive female character in it. She would need to be to execute this plotline of a current day American woman being transported back in time to two separate eras in history to two different hot alpha men! Before you read into that a threesome, it is not, although both men know about each other it is not a ménage a trois. This is how the writing is so clever to evolve the relationship with Isobel and her soul mates – Iain and Velloc.

The sex scenes were off the charts but sensually done and integral to the plot and evolvement of the story. The romance was wonderful to escape into and the erotica just added the spice.

Overall I found this book to be captivating, with its descriptive prose, intriguing storyline and wonderful characters, how could it not be. I see this is part of a series and I shall look forward to the next book. Highly recommend you read this.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About the Author

Kat Bastion is an award-winning paranormal romance writer, poetic warrior, and eternal optimist who loves getting lost in the beauty of nature.

On a never-ending, wondrous path of self-discovery, Kat throws her characters into incredible situations with the hope that readers join her in learning more about the meaning of life and love.

Her first published work, Utterly Loved, was shared with the world to benefit others. All proceeds from Utterly Loved, and a portion of the proceeds of all her other books, support charities who help those lost in this world.

Kat lives with her husband amid the beautiful Sonoran Desert of Arizona.

Sweet, shy and a bit goofy, Tinley Michaels has it all: a great mother, a wonderful, sexy, loving boyfriend, and her whole life ahead of her. One day her world is turned upside down when the love of her life suddenly leaves her without reason. She is left broken and vulnerable and vows to never let a man destroy her again. Months later, she decides to dust herself off and finally realize her dream of being a Broadway star. With nothing holding her back, she leaves everything she's ever known in Texas to start her new life in New York City. She moves in with her cousin, makes some great new friends, gets a steady job and an audition for a part in a small theater. Things are heading in the right direction. Tinley isn’t looking for anyone. She is jaded but still hopelessly in love with her first love. That’s when, by chance, she meets Van Whitaker, the smooth talking sexy lead singer of the best-selling rock band, Ripping Pages. She labels him a man-whore/rock-n-roll douchebag immediately. Van tries to show her that he’s no longer that guy and that he sees something in Tinley worth trying to be better for. Even though he makes her feel things she’s only read about in the hundreds of romance novels she’s shamelessly addicted to, she is scared he will leave her even more broken than she already is. Should she give this gorgeous rock star the time of day? And what will she do when she comes face to face with her past and she must make a decision that will change her future and her forever? What happens when the page you ripped out of the book of your life suddenly tries to put itself back into the story?

Excerpt

I felt great after my audition. I had done better this time than when I had rehearsed, so I was feeling pretty confident about it. It was a beautiful early fall day outside, so I decided to catch a cab, grab a treat and walk around Central Park. I wanted to breathe in the New York air and take in my surroundings. I stopped by a little bakery off of Columbus Avenue and ordered a red velvet cupcake with cream cheese icing, my guilty pleasure, and a hot chocolate. I entered the park and found a bench to sit down and enjoy my treats and people watch, which was another one of my guilty pleasures.

I loved this city. It was unlike anything I could ever imagine. The crowds and the traffic, everything about it excited me. I was from the outskirts of Houston and our downtown was nothing like this spectacular place. I finished my goodies and closed my eyes listening to the sounds around me. Birds chirping and people talking. Soon, the faint sound of a guitar filled my ears followed by a low, sexy, almost tortured voice singing lyrics that I couldn't quite make out. Being my nosy self, I wanted to know who was behind that sound. I headed toward, Bow Bridge I think it was called, and the music grew louder, as did the sexy voice.

I spotted a young guy sitting against a tree by the water near the bridge. His right leg was bent in front of him while his left leg was straight out on the ground. He had a guitar resting in his lap and he was smoking a cigarette which normally I would find repulsing, but on him it made him even sexier for some reason. He wore faded jeans that were frayed a bit at the cuff and a plain black t-shirt that, from what I could see, hugged his well-defined body just right. His arms were covered in tattoos, though I couldn’t make out the intricate designs from where I stood. He had messy dark brown hair that hung in his eyes which held long, thick eyelashes that would make any woman jealous. His face was chiseled showing a hint of scruff and he had full lush lips but his bottom lip was just a little fuller than the top. He was seriously breathtaking. He looked vaguely familiar but I couldn’t place him.

I never really was attracted to guys like this one. I was usually drawn to the clean cut, all American type guys. Guys like James. James was gorgeous but he had nothing on this man. This guy had the bad boy look down pat. They surely didn't make them like that back home.

He was singing and strumming the guitar and writing something that I assumed were lyrics, down in a notebook near his right hip. I couldn’t stop staring at him. His voice made me feel warm and cozy for some strange reason. It, too, was familiar and oddly comforting. It was deep, rough and provocative and I wanted to hear more of it. This guy could sing me the telephone book for all I cared as long as he kept singing.

Teasers

Book Trailer

About Rachel

Rachel Rae is a devoted wife to her high school sweetheart and momma to three unbelievably gorgeous children. She enjoys reading all things romance and writing about love and happily ever afters. When she’s not engrossed in a good book and obsessing over fictional boyfriends, you can find her gossiping over coffee or wine with frozen berries, goofing around with her sister, watching trashy reality TV and facebooking entirely too much. She is addicted to music, chocolate, Christmas, lip gloss, glitter and all things girly. She lives in Texas with her family.